Robjent takes post in Carver County
Crow Wing County
Crow Wing County Highway Engineer Lyndon Robjent announced Wednesday he was resigning from his position to take a similar job in Carver County.
Robjent has been the county's highway engineer since Aug. 13, 2007, when he took over for longtime engineer Duane Blanck, who retired. Previously, he served as an assistant county engineer in Anoka County, where he had worked since 1998.
Lyndon Robjent
Robjent's last day with Crow Wing County will be July 31.
Robjent said there were a couple of reasons for his decision to resign, the biggest being he hasn't been able to sell his home in Anoka County the past two years because of the collapse of the housing market. He said that's left his family in limbo, unable to purchase a home in Crow Wing County.
"Other than that there's nothing about working (in Crow Wing County) that I haven't enjoyed," Robjent said. "Crow Wing County has a lot of challenges but it's a great county to live and work in. I've really enjoyed being here."
Robjent's position in Carver County will be as engineer/public works director. He intends to commute to work from his Anoka County home.
"It's a good opportunity, also. I wouldn't leave just to go anywhere," he said.
The Crow Wing County highway engineer position will be filled on an interim basis by Assistant County Engineer Rob Hall, who will assume full responsibility for the role until the position is filled on a permanent basis. Hall also served as interim engineer after Blanck retired.
County Administrator Tim Houle said the board will appoint Hall at its July 14 meeting and begin the process of replacing Robjent.
Houle said the county appreciated Robjent's service.
"I think Lyndon certainly brought fresh vision for the department in terms of applying technology, a pavement management system and high degree of employee involvement," Houle said. "His skills are certainly going to be missed."
Houle said Robjent's predicament was a statement on the economy and the first time in Houle's professional career that recruitment was hindered by the inability to sell a home.
In a news release, Crow Wing County Board Chairwoman Rosemary Franzen said Robjent's presence would be missed.
"We have benefited from his leadership and enjoyed his friendship," Franzen said in the news release. "He will leave a lasting impact on our operation and has added great value in his relatively short tenure."
Franzen also said the department was solidly positioned with a well-experienced team to continue operations.
MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.